It was over. I heard someone enter the hall and whisper in Jodd's ear;heard his answer also.
"Let her be brought hither," he said. "For the rest, bid the captainshold Stauracius and the others fast. If there is any sign of stiragainst us, cut their throats, advising them that this will be doneshould they allow trouble to arise. Do not fire the palace unless I givethe word, for it would be a pity to burn so fine a building. It is thosewho dwell in it who should be burned; but doubtless Constantine will seeto that. Collect the richest of the booty, that which is most portable,and let it be carried to our quarters in the baggage carts. See thatthese things are done quickly, before the Armenians get their hands intothe bag. I'll be with you soon; but if the Emperor Constantine shouldarrive first, tell him that all has gone well, better than he hoped,indeed, and pray him to come hither, where we may take counsel."
The messenger went. Jodd and some of the Northmen began to consulttogether, and Martina led me aside.
"Tell me what has chanced, Martina," I asked, "for I am bewildered."
"A revolution, that is all, Olaf. Jodd and the Northmen are the point ofthe spear, its handle is Constantine, and the hands that hold it are theArmenians. It has been very well done. Some of the guards who remainedwere bribed, others frightened away. Only a few fought, and of themthe Northmen made short work. Irene and her ministers were fooled. Theythought the blow would not fall for a week or more, if at all, since theEmpress believed that she had appeased Constantine by her promises. I'lltell you more later."
"How did you find me, Martina, and in time?"
"Oh! Olaf, it is a terrible story. Almost I swoon again to think of it.It was thus: Irene discovered that I had visited you in your cell;she grew suspicious of me. This morning I was seized and ordered tosurrender the signet; but first I had heard that they planned your deathto-day, not a sentence of banishment and murder afar off, as I told you.My last act before I was taken was to dispatch a trusted messenger toJodd and the Northmen, telling them that if they would save you alivethey must strike at once, and not to-night, as had been arranged. Withinthirty seconds after he had left my side the eunuchs had me and took meto my chamber, where they barred me in. A while later the Augusta cameraging like a lioness. She accused me of treachery, and when I deniedit struck me in the face. Look, here are the marks of the jewels on herhands. Oh, alas! what said I? You cannot see. She had learned that thelady Heliodore had escaped her, and that I had some hand in her escape.She vowed that I, your god-mother, was your lover, and as this is acrime against the Church, promised me that after other sufferings Ishould be burned alive in the Hippodrome before all the people. Lastlyshe said this, 'Know that your Olaf of whom you are so fond dies withinan hour and thus: He will be taken to the Hall of the Pit and theregiven leave to walk till the judges come. Being blind, you may guesswhere he will walk. Before this door is unlocked again I tell you he'llbe but a heap of splintered bones. Aye, you may start and weep; but saveyour tears for yourself,' and she called me a foul name. 'I have got youfast at length, you night-prowling cat, and God Himself cannot give youstrength to stretch out your hand and guide this accursed Olaf from theedge of the Pit of Death.'
"'God alone knows what He can do, Augusta,' I answered, for the wordsseemed to be put into my lips.
"Then she cursed and struck me again, and so left me barred in mychamber.
"When she had gone I flung myself upon my knees and prayed to God tosave you, Olaf, since I was helpless; prayed as I had never prayedbefore. Praying thus, I think that I fell into a swoon, for my agonywas more than I could bear, and in the swoon I dreamed. I dreamed that Istood in this place, where till now I have never been before. I saw thejudges, the jailers, and a few others watching from that gallery. I sawyou walk along the hall towards the great open pit. Then I seemed toglide to you and take your hand and guide you round the pit. And, Olaf,this happened thrice. Afterwards came a tumult while you were on thevery edge of the pit and I held you, not suffering you to stir. Then inrushed the Northmen and I with them. Yes, standing there with you uponthe edge of the pit, I saw myself and the Northmen rush into the hall."
"Martina," I whispered, "a hand that seemed to be a woman's did guide methrice round the edge of the pit, and did hold me almost until you andthe Northmen rushed in."
"Oh! God is great!" she gasped. "God is very great, and to Him I givethanks. But hearken to the end of the tale. I awoke from my swoon andheard noise without, and above it the Northmen's cry of victory. Theyhad scaled the palace walls or broken in the gates--as yet I know notwhich--they were on the terrace driving the Greek guards before them. Iran to the window-place and there below me saw Jodd. I screamed till heheard me.
"'Save me if you would save Olaf,' I cried. 'I am prisoned here.'
"They brought one of their scaling ladders and drew me through thewindow. I told them all I knew. They caught a palace eunuch and beat himtill he promised to lead us to this hall. He led, but in the labyrinthof passages fell down senseless, for they had struck him too hard. Weknew not which way to turn, till suddenly we heard your voice and rantowards it.
"That is all the story, Olaf."
The Wanderer's Necklace Page 40
